Leo "Jerry" Brown

Carbondale - Leo Jerome “Jerry” Brown II, 74, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Carbondale.

   Jerry was born on July 31, 1942 in Carbondale to Dr. Leo Brown and Mary Barrow Brown. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. JW Barrow.

   He was married on December 21, 1963 in Alton to Norma Minsker, whom he had met in Venice, Italy.

   Survivors include his wife, Norma Brown of Carbondale; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Vernon Brown of DuQuoin; son, Richard Brown of DuQuoin; two grandchildren, Sarah and Jacob Brown of DuQuoin; sister, Lucy Sloan of Carbondale; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Alice and Mike Kimmel of Carbondale; and sister, Dorothy Stoffel of Spokane, WA.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Elizabeth Brown.

   Jerry was a lifetime member of The View Church (formerly First Baptist Church). He managed a large farming and livestock operation near Carbondale for several years. With two children and a third on the way, in 1968 Jerry enrolled at Southern Illinois University. He earned his B.S. in Education in 1971 and M.S. in Guidance and Educational Psychology in 1972.

   He was employed by the SIU Rehabilitation Institute for 17 years and then by the Illinois Office of State Guardianship, where he served as a guardian for adult wards of the state.

   Growing up, he traveled extensively with his family throughout the United States. Later, he traveled with his wife and children, mostly camping. Some of his favorite places were Rocky Mountain National Park, Ireland, Alaska, and the Canadian Rockies.

   Jerry loved music of all types. He was an expert on military history, especially on the Civil War. He volunteered for many years with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Red Cross. He was a lifelong fan of Saluki football and basketball.

   Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2017 in The View Church in Carbondale with Pastor Jacob Swain officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30p.m. Friday, June 2 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

   Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to the Saluki Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o SIU Foundation or donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home and the church.

   To share a story or memory of Jerry, please visit, www.meredithfh.com.